Cisco EVP Liz Centoni Says The 'Boring Problems' No One Talks About Hold The Key To AI's Future—And Thousands Are Solving Them

Artificial intelligence is writing code faster than humans ever could, and one big question looms: Should people still bother learning to code? Cisco’s CSCO executive vice president and chief customer experience officer, Liz Centoni, has a firm answer—yes, but with a twist.

The Unexpected Value of “Boring Problems”

Centoni, who started as a software engineer and has spent nearly 25 years at Cisco, insists coding is still essential. “I want someone in there sitting with the subject matter experts who can not just understand the problem, but look at how we can creatively craft a solution,” Centoni told Business Insider. 

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She argues that coding teaches a structured approach to breaking down complex problems, analyzing data, forming hypotheses, and testing solutions. “And maybe nobody wants to talk about the boring problems because it doesn’t make the news,” she added.

“But the reality is that we have boring problems with lots of data underneath it. It has thousands of employees who work at it.” she said during the interview. 

That might not sound exciting, but these so-called “boring problems” keep major companies running smoothly. From automating workflows to analyzing massive datasets, coding knowledge gives employees an edge, even if AI is lending a hand.

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Centoni’s argument isn’t just philosophical—the data backs it up. Based on a study by Zippia, over 266,493 computer programmers are employed in the U.S., earning a $73,007 average salary in 2025. According to ZipRecruiter, the 75th percentile of computer programmers in the U.S. earn $80,000, and the top earners, the 90th percentile, earn $87,000 annually. 

Based on the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, 40% of companies anticipate reducing their workforce where AI can automate tasks. Nonetheless, jobs that require critical thinking and problem-solving will remain in demand. 

Not everyone agrees. The chief learning officer at Coursera, Trena Minudri, told Newsweek, “One of the most exciting side effects of the AI and digital transformation revolution is that there’s this double-down on the things that make us human. That goes to things like empathy, resilience, self-awareness, listening skill, for everyone–not just managers and leaders.”

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As AI takes over routine coding tasks, creativity, and business acumen will also become the real differentiators in the job market.

Centoni doesn’t think everyone needs a computer science degree, but she does want to see more people combining tech knowledge with business strategy. “I want someone in there sitting with the subject matter experts who can not just understand the problem but look at how we can creatively craft a solution,” she said. 

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